Northwest Iowa Tractor Pullers

2009  Rules

It is the duty and responsibility of all participants to read and obey the following rules:

Classes

Stock                                                     950 lb.-1050 lb.                     Limited to 18 hp

Stock Altered                                         950 lb.-1050 lb.                     Limited to 18 hp

Limited Modified                                  1050 lb.-1150 lb.                     Limited to 800 cc

Unlimited Modified                               1150 lb.-1250 lb.                     Limited to 1500 cc

4-Cylinder Mini-Rod    (*)                    1400 lb.-1500 lb.                     Limited to 4 cylinders

8-Cylinder Mini-Rod                            1700 lb.-1800 lb.                     Limited to 8 cylinders

  (*) 4 cylinder automotive eng.           1450lb.-1550lb.

Sponsor Information

1. A tractor with a blade or a box scraper will be needed.

2. Three people will be needed to help on the track during the pull.

3. A public address system is needed to keep the spectators informed and interested.

4. Restroom facilities must be available. 

5. We suggest that you have a spectator liability insurance policy in effect.

6. Our club will take care of the weighing, signing-in, positioning, and lining up the tractors for the pull.

7. The entry fee that we collect from the tractors will be used to pay our track expenses and insurance premiums.

8. Our classes are: 950 lb. Stock, 1050 lb. Stock, 950 lb. Stock Altered, 1050 lb. Stock Altered, 1050 lb. Limited Modified, 1150 lb. Limited Modified, 1150 lb. Unlimited Modified, 1250 lb. Unlimited Modified, 1400 lb. 4 Cylinder Mini-Rod, 1500 lb. 4 Cylinder Mini-Rod, (4cyl automotive eng 1450-1550 )1700 lb. 8 Cylinder Mini-Rod, and 1800 lb. 8 Cylinder Mini-Rod.

9. If you charge admission, we request that you exempt the tractor tow vehicle, tractor driver, and one pitman per tractor. 

10. The track will be constructed of a dirt base free of rocks, gravel, and other debris.

11. The track must be a minimum of 250 feet in length, a minimum of 20 feet in width, and a maximum of 30 feet.  A track 300 feet by 25 feet is preferred, with 50 feet for the sled and shut down. We suggest an area at least 10 feet wide between the side markers and the spectator area.

12. We will share a program with two tracks, but we will not share a track during our program.

13. No pulls will be held on holidays that fall on a weekend

Membership Information

1. A fee of $20.00 will be collected for each single membership or $50.00 for a family membership (parents and children 8-18) per year. This must be paid before one has the right to vote. A $30.00 fee will be charged for insurance premiums for each member. Memberships are non-cancelable and non-transferable.

2. Non-members will sign a release form and be charged $5.00 per hook and $10.00 to cover insurance. Points and position will not be awarded or counted to non-members, and members will advance in placing.

3. A fee of $5.00 will be charged per hook. A six-hook ticket for $25.00 is available. Pulling positions will be drawn before each pulling event. Anyone signing in later than ten minutes before scheduled starting time will be put in last position. (NO EXCEPTIONS).

4. A president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and a four-person rules committee will be elected from the membership for a one-year term at the annual officers meeting. To be eligible to be an officer, one must be an active member one year prior to election. The duties of the officers will be:

1. President will set up and conduct all meetings and fill in if a rules member is absent at a pull. He/she is also responsible for point standing sheets. 

2. Vice-president will sign in pullers at each event. He/she will fill in for the president in his/her absence. 

3. Secretary is responsible for mailing all correspondence, signing up members, and rewriting rules when necessary. 

4. Treasurer is responsible for handling all financial transactions, records, insurance premiums, and coverage. 

5. Rules committee will consist of four people (one from each pulling division). All rule controversies will be settled by the committee members who are not in the division in question. This committee is also in charge of tractor inspections.

5. All members will vote on sportsman awards. 

6. A 15-point system will be used, awarding points as follows:
   1st place......................... 15 points       8th place…………………….8 points

2nd place.........................14 points      9th place…………………….7 points

3rd place..........................13 points      10th place…………………...6 points

4th place..........................12 points       11th place…………………...5 points

5th place..........................11 points      12^th place……………………4 points
            6^th place………………...10 points      13^th place…………………....3 points

7^th place………………….9 points      14^th place……………………2 points

7.  All events are point pulls. Any tractor hooking to the sled and making a measurable pull (one inch or more) will be awarded two points or position points, whichever is more. In a case in which a driver refuses 1^st attempt to take 2^nd attempt and is unable to return, he/she will be awarded two points. All non-member positions will be eliminated and the following positions will advance with points being awarded for that position. A member's tractor driven by a non-member will not receive points.

8. In case of a rainout, all completed classes will receive earned points and all tractors present in uncompleted classes will receive five points per class in which they are signed up for. If the event is rescheduled, it will be considered a new pull with new points. 

9. Anyone caught cheating will forfeit all points to date and will be restricted from pulling at the next two NITP pulling events. This includes the driver and the tractor. 

10. All tractors will be assigned a three-digit number, which shall be visibly displayed on the front and the rear of the tractor. The digits will be at least three inches high.
    Numbers will designate classes as follows:

100-199.............................…Stock and Stock Altered

200-299................................ Limited Modified

300-399...........……………..Unlimited Modified

400-499.......................……..4 Cylinder Mini-Rod

800-899.......................……..8 Cylinder Mini-Rod

     11. Any driver participating at a NITP sponsored or co-sponsored event will be covered by  

           NITP liability insurance.

DRIVERS

1. 1. All drivers must be fully capable of handling the tractor. Drivers for Stock Class must be 6 years of age or older and have adult walk by tractor on track. Stock altered classes must be 8 years of age or older, modified and 4 cylinder mini-rod classes must be 14 years of age or older, and 8 cylinder mini-rod class must be 16 years of age or older..

2. Any driver who presents him/herself under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol will be restricted from driving that day.

3. All drivers will wear suitable clothing (sleeved shirt, shoes, and jeans or fire suit) and will conduct themselves and their tractor in a safe and respectable manner at pulls.

4. No driver will get on or off his/her tractor while the engine is running at a pull.

5. All drivers will drive their tractors on and off the track if the tractor is running or being towed.

PULLING PROCEDURE

1. The officers and/or promoters may prohibit anyone from pulling for a substantial reason, such as hot-rodding or abusive behavior.

2. There shall be no alcoholic beverages consumed during the pull by members and/or crew.

3. Any driver not ready at his/her turn due to mechanical problems will have the option to pull in last position in the class in which he/she is registered if officials are notified.  If the last tractor in a class experiences mechanical problems, he/she will be allowed three minutes to get hooked once the sled is ready if officials are notified.

4. In pull-offs, tractors will pull in the order in which they finished.

5. Any driver not reporting for his/her pull will be eliminated and forfeit entry fee.

6. Tractors will be in neutral before hooking, and hands up will be the signal by the driver.

7. Weights may be repositioned on repulls or false starts.

8. Tractors are limited to one pull per class and two classes per event.

9. The first puller in each class is the test puller and has the option of a second pull; however, the decision must be made before unhooking. He/she must take third or last position. Third position is defined as the 4^th tractor to go down the track. (Example: 1^st position puller will repull after two other tractors pull). When the first puller rejects first hook but is unable to come back for the second hook, he/she will be given the last position in the class.

10. If the puller is not satisfied with the first attempt and stops or attempts to stop within the first 75 feet without being flagged, he/she will be allowed a second attempt. This attempt must be made immediately without leaving the track.

11. Any tractor coming onto the track with a fuel leak or with an excessive water or oil leak will be prohibited from pulling until repaired.

12. Only authorized personnel will be permitted on the track during a pull.

13. All pulls within the boundary lines and beyond the furthermost measurable point will be a full pull, except when a floating finish is used not to exceed 310 feet.

14. An attempt or a measurable pull is one inch or more.

15. Any contestant who feels another contestant’s tractor is illegal may protest that tractor by consulting an officer in a respectable manner. All protests will be handled before or immediately after the pull.  A written protest has to be given to the exact item being protested.  The protester must put up $50.00 at the time of the complaint.  The party in right gets the money.  If the puller in question refuses to be inspected that day, he/she will forfeit all points to date.

16. If for any reason equipment is not up to the club standards, a driver will be allowed to pull but must repair the item within one week after notification. This does not include safety equipment.

17. The sled operator may use sled brakes or remote tractor shut-off if he feels it is necessary for safety. The pull will end at this point. A repull may be allowed depending on the officials’ decision.

18. All tractors with the driver are required to weigh-in before hooking to the sled in all classes. After weighing, tractors will remain in the staging area.

19. All decisions made by the track official are final.

TRACTOR CLASSES AND WEIGHTS

1.  STOCK TRACTORS (950 lb-1050 lb)

Tractors must have a stock chassis and wheelbase, maximum 18 hp lawn and garden engine limited to 3800 RPMs (maximum). Engine must use only factory production stock parts as follows: block, head, cam, valves, rod(s), piston(s).NO ALTERCATION OF THESE PARTS ALLOWED. Governed open exhaust (if safely routed up) and 0.60 overbore (maximum) are permitted. A maximum of 1 " carb venture. The engine must have been available in the brand of tractor in which it is used. Maximum length, including weights, is limited to seven feet. Maximum tire size is 12x12x26. Tires must be turf or lug. No special pulling tires. No methanol fuel is allowed. Electric fuel pumps optional. Carburetor spacers or stand-offs not allowed.

2. STOCK ALTERED TRACTORS (950 lb - 1050 lb)
Tractors must have a stock chassis and wheelbase, maximum 18 hp lawn and garden engine, and a mandatory steel flywheel. Engine must use  factory production block and cylinder head. Stock type Carburetor of 1.200 venturi max. Governor over-rides, open exhaust (if safely routed up), and 0.60 overbore (maximum) are permitted. Cylinder head restraint device attached to the frame or lower engine to retain cylinder and head. The engine must have been available in the brand of tractor in which it is used. Maximum length, including weights, is limited to seven feet. Maximum tire size is 12x12x26. Tires may be turf, lug, or pulling tires. No methanol fuel is allowed. Electric fuel pumps are optional. Carburetor spacers or stand-offs are not allowed.

3. LIMITED MODIFIED TRACTORS–limited to 600cc snowmobile or 800cc motorcycle maximum (1050 lb-1150 lb)
Non-automotive engines are limited to a maximum of 800 cc, naturally aspirated, and up to one carburetor barrel per cylinder or one injector per cylinder. Chassis is limited to seven feet maximum length (measured from center of rear axle to front most part including weights and brackets) and five feet maximum width. Maximum tire size is 12x12x26. Multi-engines are allowed. Alcohol fuel is allowed.

4. UNLIMITED MODIFIED TRACTORS – limited to 1500cc (1150 lb - 1250 lb)
Non-automotive engines must be naturally aspirated, limited to one carburetor barrel per cylinder or one injector per cylinder. Chassis is limited to seven feet maximum length (measured from center of rear axle to front most part of tractor including weights and brackets) and five feet maximum width. Alcohol fuel is allowed. Maximum tire size is 12x12x26. Multi-engines are allowed.

5. 4 CYLINDER MINI-ROD TRACTORS (1400 lb - 1500 lb)
Engines limited to a maximum of four cylinders, naturally aspirated, fuel injection will be allowed or limited to one carburetor barrel per cylinder, or diesel power limited to one turbo. Four cyl. automotive engs.  will be allow 50lbs extra weight. Chassis is limited to eight feet maximum length (measured from center of rear axle to front most part of tractor including weights and brackets) and six feet maximum width. Alcohol fuel is allowed. Maximum tire size is 15x15.5x31. Multi-engines are allowed.  A deflection shield will be installed on rear of engine behind head to block area to protect driver from coolant if head gasket failure occurs.  All diesel engines will have restraint cable 3/16” or larger over head to prevent head from lifting off.

6. 8 CYLINDER MINI-ROD TRACTORS (1650 lb - 1750 lb)
Maximum of eight cylinders, naturally aspirated, fuel injection will be allowed or up to one carburetor barrel per cylinder. Eight feet maximum length measured from center of rear axle to front most point of tractor including weights and brackets. Six feet maximum width. Alcohol fuel is allowed. Maximum tire size is 15x15.5x31. Multi-engines are allowed.

MULTI-DIVISION TRACTORS

Any tractor adding engines will be considered a different tractor with a different number and allowed in another division.

WARNING: All weight classes listed are maximum weight.  NO EXTRA ALLOWANCE.

TRACTOR EQUIPMENT RULES

BRAKES, STEERING  

All tractors will have working brakes and suitable steering.  

DRAWBARS

Minimum drawbar length is 6” from the center of the rear wheels to the point of hook and cannot be adjustable to less than 6”. Drawbar must be stationary in all directions and 13” maximum from top of hitching device to the ground. Hitching device must be parallel to ground and not more than 3/4” in thickness with a 2” diameter opening. Cross-section thickness must be equivalent to 1/2” round stock. Pulling point may not be more than 3/4” from back edge of hitching device. Only one drawbar and hole will be allowed.  Hole has to accept a 2” round pipe or 2” round ball.  There should also be 6” of clearance (3” on each side of the center of the hitch) from the hitch vertical, for visibility and ease of hooking.  No weights allowed in the center.

DRIVELINES

1. Driveline shielding.

1. All exposed gears, chains, and belts will be shielded with .060 or more steel or aluminum and all drive chains and belts will have 1/8” or more steel or aluminum 360 degrees. Chains running parallel with tractor will be shielded on top, front, and rear with 1/8” steel or aluminum.

2. Driveline brakes must be shielded 360 degrees with 5/16” minimum thickness steel and both ends must be closed with 1/8” steel minimum.

3. All remaining drive lines (drive shafts, u-joints, etc.) must be enclosed with 5/16” minimum steel 360 degrees fastened every 6” or closer with 3/8” or larger bolts being grade 5 or better or welded to the frame.

4. Transmissions in mini-rod tractors will be shielded on at least top and sides around main body with not less than 1/8” steel, or at least 1/4” aluminum, or an approved safety blanket, or a combination of two or more of the above.

2. Clutches, flywheels, and bell housings.
   1. Mini-rods must have a manufactured-approved bell housing and use block plate with clutch set-up; those not using approved bell housing will have a suitable shield surrounding the flywheel 360 degrees (1/4” thick mild steel or equivalent in tensile strength and not less than 4” wide securely mounted either to engine or frame) or an approved safety blanket.

2. A metal cover (no plastic) will be used under the torque converter on all automatic transmissions.

3. All bolts will be in place in bell housings.

4. Billet steel flywheels are mandatory for clutch setup tractors except stock tractors.

CHASSIS

1. All tractors will have wide front ends (wheels at least 24” apart or stock width on stock/stock altered chassis).

2. No four wheel drive tractors.

3. All tractors will be clean and painted.

4. All tractors will be equipped with a loop or hook on front of tractor to hook a pull back rope.

ENGINES

1. No nitrous-oxide or pressurized fuel tanks allowed. Steel or steel braided lines with flange fittings are required on fuel injection systems and any system with 15 psi or higher fuel pressure.

2. All tractors will have a factory throttle set-up or dead man throttle (being closed in rearmost position with double return springs on carburetor).

3. All engines equipped with a harmonic balancer will have a bolt in the crankshaft to hold balancer on. Balancer will be solid steel, and if not, it will be shrouded with 1/4” steel no more than 1” away in direction of rotation 360 degrees to be fastened securely. If a pulley is not used ahead of balancer, a strap across the front of shroud is necessary.

4. All engine fans must be shrouded with 24 gauge or thicker aluminum 360 degrees. Electric fan excluded.

5. Mini-rod tractors will have either:

1. Two front motor mounts, two rear motor mounts, and a support saddle (sufficient strength cable may be used) for the rear of the transmission with 1/2” maximum clearance.

2. Two front motor mounts, a support saddle (cable may be used) at rear of engine with 1/2” clearance maximum, and a mount at rear of transmission. (This is to prevent the engine or transmission from dropping if breakage occurs).

6. A deflection shield is required on both sides of the engine. Shield must extend the full length of the block castings and be securely fastened; it must be made of aluminum or steel and a minimum of .060” thick.

1. Shields on V-8 mini-rod engines shall be from the bottom of head (top of block) and extend to 2” below bottom center throw of crankshaft; solid frame will qualify for shield if .060” thick.

2. Shields on 4-cylinder mini-rod engines shall be from bottom of head (top of block) and extend to 2” below bottom center throw of crankshaft.

3. A shield is recommended on all motorcycle engines between driver and engine for protection in case of an engine or transmission blow-up. Clutch basket will be shielded 360 degrees with 1/8 steel or ¼ aluminum.(the engine casting will suffice as part of the shield where applicable)..

4. Engine shields are not required on stock tractors, but are recommended.

7. Silencers highly recommended for all snowmobile engines.

EXHAUST

All exhaust must discharge upward 90 degrees from the ground. Height to be a minimum of 12” after the last bend in the pipe that discharges upward (measured from top of pipe to bottom of bend). All exhaust must be securely attached. Stock tractors will be allowed factory exhaust, upward discharge recommended. Engines equipped with turbos will have a safety cross in exhaust made from 1/4" stock or equivalent or larger.

KILL SWITCHES

1. All tractors will have a rear-mounted kill switch mounted above the drawbar hook point and at least 24” above the ground with a minimum of a 2” solid steel ring hole.  The kill switch must be located out in the open, above the weights and weight brackets, and clearly visible.

2. The kill switch will short out or kill the power to the ignition system and the electric fuel pump, if applicable. All diesel engines will have air shut-off accessible to the driver and connected to the kill cable of the sled.

3. In the event that the kill switch kills the tractor accidentally for any reason other than sled malfunction, the pull will be measured at that point.

SAFETY

1. All mower decks, loaders or other hang-on accessories will be removed.

2. Approved safety helmets must be worn in all classes with chinstraps fastened. Full-face shield recommended.  Fire suits required with alcohol fuel and recommended in all classes.

3. Dry chemical fire extinguishers are required for all classes (Halon may be used).  It must be a minimum of a 2 ½ lb. fire extinguisher, fully charged, in working condition, and accessibly located.

4. All tractors using automatic transmissions MUST be equipped with a two-hand reverse gear lock-out system.

5. A back-up light system is optional in all classes. A white light (automotive quality), minimum 2” in diameter, must be mounted on the rear center of the tractor. An indicator light on the dash must be operated off the same system. Lights must be operated by the shift lever when moved to reverse gear position. No other lights will be allowed on the rear of the tractor.

6. All tractors will be equipped with a starter system other than pushing or pulling. This will be used unless breakage occurs.

7. All mini-rod tractors will be equipped with a starter interrupter switch activated by a shift lever, which will allow starting only in a neutral or park shift position on automatic transmission-equipped tractors or when the clutch pedal is depressed on manual shift transmission equipped tractors (neutral safety switch or clutch disengagement switch).

8. Radiator overflow must discharge into a tank, which must be large enough to contain fluid and be sealed to prevent spraying out.

9. No wheel covers on rear wheels unless bolted.

10. All tractors will have a shut-off switch convenient to the driver other than the kill switch.

11. All tractors will have a fuel shut-off between the tank and fuel pump. This will be located in an easily accessible and visible location with a label and directional arrow.

12. All 4 Cyl  mini-rods will be equipped with a safety bar. This will be constructed from 14 gauge 1” tubing minimum. The bar will be at least the width of the tractor’s frame. It will be located behind the driver’s seat extending above the center of the driver’s helmet. Two vertical bars will be located directly behind driver’s head to prevent whiplash. An x-brace will be installed between the two main vertical bars for side-to-side support and adequate braces connected to tractor frame for front to rear support. The x-braces will be at 45 degree angles to the vertical bars.

13. Diesel powered tractors will have a deflection shield installed on rear of head to protect driver in case of head gasket failure.

14. Tractors with diesel engines are required to have a 3/16” or larger restraint cable over head to prevent head from lifting off.

15. Billet steel flywheels are required on all clutch set-ups (except stock tractors).

16. All V8 Mini Rods will be equipped with a full roll cage. These will have 2 main hoops (minimum)  constructed from 1.75” x .095” chrome moly  or 1.875” x .083” seamless mild steel or 3 hoops constructed of equal strength.  There will be 2 vertical bars located behind driver constructed of the same material.  All horizontal and vertical tubes shall be placed in such a manner as to provide maximum cage strength. The back corners of the cage will need angle braces for side to side strength. All hoops and vertical back tubes shall be mounted to the tractor’s rear axle, differential, main frame (if available) auxiliary frame extension of ¼” sheet metal may be used to mount cage to rear axle. All bolts will be 3/8 grade 8. With driver in normal position, there shall be a minimum of two inches between main hoops and driver’s helmet, both vertically and laterally. The driver helmet must be behind front hoop. 17. 17. All V-8 and 4 cyl Mini Rods with full roll cages will be equipped with a 5 point harness.

SEAT AND FENDERS

1. All tractors must have a substantial seat with a minimum of 4” back firmly attached, or a manufactured seat equal in strength. Drivers will remain in seat with no bouncing and feet will remain on footrests any time tractor is in motion at a pulling event.

2. All tractors must have fenders. Fenders are to consist of a barrier between driver and tire. Stock and stock altered tractors will have a hood, fenders, and all safety shields.

STABILIZER BARS

All tractors will have two wheelie bars at least 10” apart measured from inside of wheels or pads and have at least 1” wide wheels or 3” or larger square pads not more than 5” off the ground and not less than 5” behind rear tires measured to center of pads or wheels, and strong enough to support weight of the tractor. Wheelie bars will in no way interfere with sled during hookup or pull. The drawbar and drawbar assembly will not in any way be attached to the stabilizer assembly. Bumper bars will be part of the wheelie bars. This is a vertical bar at least 6” long mounted on rear most part of wheelie bars.

DISQUALIFICATIONS

1. Any part from tractor lost while hooked to the sled will be cause for disqualification. If weights drag on the ground although they may still be attached to the pulling tractor, pull will be disqualified (internal breakage excepted). This rule includes test puller.

2. If any part of a tractor goes outside of a boundary line it will be disqualified and tractor will also lose second pull option, even if it is before the 75-foot marker. Tractor will be given last place points. Test puller will be given the option hook.

3. Any tractor starting without the green flag will be disqualified.

4. Any driver not keeping at least one hand on the steering wheel and remaining fully in the seat during his/her pull will be disqualified.

5. Any tractor jerking the sled during starting or shifting will be disqualified. Sled operator will make the decision.

6. Second verbal warning on same rule will be cause for disqualification.

7. No one other than the driver will ride on any pulling tractor or tow vehicle when it is moving whether it is being driven or towed during our program. Tractor will be disqualified for complete event with no hook refunds.

WEIGHTS

1. All weights will be secure, stationary, and in solid increments of 2 ½ lb. or larger. (No containers of loose weight).

2. No part of any weight will extend more than 24” behind center of rear axle.

3. All weight classes are maximum weight.  NO EXTRA WEIGHT ALLOWANCE.

EXHIBITION PULLING

Any tractor not qualifying for a class because of weight or equipment not complying with rules (other than safety requirements) and being approved by officers and sled operator will be allowed to pull exhibition. Safety requirement discrepancies will prevent any tractor from pulling. Any non-member making an exhibition pull will be charged $10.00 due to insurance regulations. Exhibition hooks will be allowed only when time permits.